Domestic violence of Americans in Italy subject of new play

Beloit College’s first play of 2014 will debut on Thursday (Feb. 27) with Plan B. Running through Sunday (March 2), the play tells the true stories of six American expatriates living in Italy who suffered from domestic violence.

“It’s a topic you don’t ever think about,” said Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Amy Sarno, who compiled the stories and directed the play. “We don’t often think about what happens to women who are overseas and suffering from domestic abuse, especially with Italy. You think of Italy and people are immediately like ‘oh you’re going to fall in love’ or something. It’s this romantic idea we have.”

During her sabbatical in the fall of 2013 Sarno lived in Florence, where she conducted interviews with six survivors, several psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors and attorneys.

“It is all pretty much verbatim,” she said. “Overall, these are stories that actually happened, and they are told in a way that they were told to me. The survivors I’ve worked with have all seen the reading, have read the script on several occasions and given their input.”

Performances are at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday and Sunday in the Kresge Theatre in the Neese Theatre Complex.

Admission is $8.50 for general admission, $5 for seniors and $4 for students. Tickets are available at the box office an hour before the show or by calling the box office at 608-363-2755 Monday through Friday between 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

For more information on the play, click here to read the Beloit Daily News' Feb. 27 coverage.